This post was most recently updated on May 29th, 2019
How to write an Invitation Letter for UK Visa?
An Invitation Letter for UK Visa is one of the documents that an intending visitor to the UK will use to show the reason for their visit. Although an invitation letter can be very useful, it is not required for obtaining a visitor visa to the UK. It is, however, a good idea to send one to your guest to make their application as robust as possible. Writing an invitation letter for a UK visitor’s visa can be challenging if you do not know what to write.
To write a good letter, what is important is to ensure that all the required information is in the letter. There is no specific method or style once all the required information is visible in the letter. This letter is sometimes referred to as sponsorship letter for UK visa
In summary, the following should be on the invitation letter.
Your letter should include the following information about the person being invited:
- Complete name.
- Date of birth.
- The person’s address and telephone number.
- Your relationship to the person being invited.
- The purpose of the trip.
- How long the person you are inviting intends to stay in the United Kingdom.
- Details on accommodation and living expenses.
- The date the person you are inviting intends to leave the United Kingdom.
Your letter must also include the following information about the person writing the letter:
- Complete name.
- Date of birth.
- Address and telephone number in the United Kingdom.
- Occupation.
- Your status in the United Kingdom
- A photocopy of documents proving your status in the United Kingdom and financial Status.
Find a list of documents required for visa application here
Writing an Invitation Letter is just one piece of the puzzle, your guest may need help with Visa Application or Interview.
To whom do you address your Invitation Letter for Visa
Invitation letter for visa purposes can be addressed to either the guest (the person you are inviting) or the Consular Office, Embassy or Visa Application Center. In most cases, the letter will be given to the guest to attach to their application for a visa. This means that whether you address the letter to your guest or the Embassy, you will still send the letter to your guest.
Before you start writing your letter
If you do not have Grammarly - A grammar checker that I use every day for all my writing, please get it free from here Now. Grammarly. You can read my full story on how I discovered Grammarly here.Sample Invitation Letter for UK Visa written to a friend
Below is a sample invitation letter for UK Visa. The names on it are fictitious but this format has been used and visas have been issued using this format. There are other formats that can be used. The most important thing is for the information required to be on it. Remember that this is just a sample and we are not in any way connected to the British High Commission.
The following sample invitation letter is written for a friend. You could use the same format for a parent, parents, cousin, uncle or business partners. All you need to do is adjust the text as it suits each situation.
January 27th, 2019
David Smith
191 Masons Avenue,
London HA3 5AH
United Kingdom
+44 020 8876 1234
To Whom It May Concern:
Application for a Standard Visitor Visa: Dorcas Odu; May 13 1980; Passport No: AO345678
I am writing to confirm I wish to invite Dorcas Odu to visit me in the UK for 3 weeks in order to have a short holiday. I hope she will be able to come on 20th of June 2019.
I am a British Citizen and Electrical Engineer Working at DemsTech in London. I will be on vacation at that time.
I am able to accommodate her for the duration of her stay in the UK. Please find attached evidence of my accommodation.
I have enclosed the following documents:
• Copy of passport
• Tenancy agreement
Should you require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours faithfully
David Smith
Do not forget to send a scanned copy of your passport. You do not have to notarize the letter.
How to get a UK Visa
Sample Invitation Letter for UK Visa written to a father
As a British Citizen or anyone who has an eligible status in the UK, you are entitled to have a guest visit you from different parts of the world. Many students come to the UK to study from all over the world, these students often need to have their parent or other relatives visit them. Find below a sample invitation letter written by a Naturalized British Citizen who wants his father to visit him in the UK.
Please take note that you can use the same format to invite a mother, uncle, brother, sister, grandparents. All you have to do is adjust the letter to reflect the different relationships. If your situation is different, simply state your case and let your guest present himself. In some cases, you may mention something about your guest but that is not necessary. This letter is just a document that shows that your guest really has a reason to come to the UK.
The sample below is just one format for an invitation letter. There are very many other formats. You may choose to write the letter directly to your guest. In both cases, however, it is your guest that you send the letter to.
204 Rye Lane,
Peckham
London,
SE15 4RZUK
12 Nov 2018
British High Commission
Upper Hill Road
Nairobi
Dear Sir/Madam
Application for Visit Visa: JAMES DONALD MARK – PASSPORT NO – 123456
I am writing to confirm that I Moses Kevin Mark am inviting Mr JAMES DONALD MARK to visit me in the UK.
Mr JAMES DONALD MARK is my father. His passport number is 123456 and his date of birth is 20 April 1945.
He is going to visit the UK from Feb 13, 2019, and will be staying for 10 days. He would be leaving on Feb 23, 2019.During his stay in UK, he will be staying with me and I will be responsible for his transportation in and around the UK.
I am a British Citizen with passport No – 234565. I currently work at British Airways and reside at 201 Rye Lane, Peckham. I have attached a copy of the Biodata page of my Passport and my tenancy agreement.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Yours faithfully,
Moses Kevin Mark
Moses@ba.com
44-078-111-1111
Sample Formal Letter of Invitation for Standard Visitor Visa to the UK written to a husband and wife
Below is a sample letter of invitation. The names on it are fictitious but this format has been used and visas have been issued using this format.
Moses is a 35 year old accountant that lives in Stevenage UK. On his last trip to Hong Kong 4 years ago he met Cindy and Dave (Kenyan citizens) who are also accountants attending the same conference that Moses went to attend. They have been corresponding since then over Facebook and phone calls. This year Cindy and Dave decided to visit Moses in Stevenage Uk.
Here is a sample formal invitation letter that Moses would write to invite Cindy and Dave to UK. This particular letter is addressed to the Consular Officer rather than to Cindy and Dave. All the necessary information are included in the letter. This letter forms one of the supporting documents for the visa application.
February 27th, 2018
(The Address of Moses can be formatted like a personal letterhead)
Moses Mark
234 Jessop Road,
Stevenage, Hertfordshire
SG1 5LL, United Kingdom
+44 020 8669 1234
The Consular
British High Commission
P.O. Box 30465-00100,
Upper Hill Rd,
Nairobi City, Kenya
Dear Consular,
Application for Standard Visitor Visa for Dave Malaba and Cindy Malaba
I am writing to confirm I wish to invite my friends Dave and Cindy to visit me in the UK for 3 weeks during their vacation from April 1, 2018 to April 21, 2018.
I am a British Citizen and a chartered accountant Working at Frank and Coopers Chartered Accountants. I have known Dave and Cindy for 5 years, they are both chartered accountants in Nairobi Kenya. They will be staying at my home in Stevenage during their visit. Please find attached evidence of my accommodation.
Here are some more details about Dave and Cindy Malaba
Dave Malaba
Date of Birth: January 1st 1980
Passport No: 000000000
Occupation: Chartered Accountant
Address: 234 karibu St, Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone: +200-000-0000
Cindy Malaba
Date of Birth: May 1st 1985
Passport No: 000000000
Occupation: Chartered Accountant
Address: 234 karibu St, Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone: +200-000-0000
I have enclosed the following documents:
• Copy of passport
• Tenancy agreement
Should you require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours faithfully,
Moses Mark
Do not forget to send a scanned copy of your passport. You do not have to notarize the letter.
Sponsorship Declaration to accompany invitation letter for UK visa.
It is possible that you may want to invite a family member or friend who is not in the position to sponsor themselves to the UK or you have simply chosen to sponsor their trip as a gift. If this is the case, it is advisable to fill out a sponsorship declaration form which can then be attached to the invitation letter for UK visa application. You may also choose to write a sponsorship letter.
Once the sponsorship declaration is filled and signed, send them to your guest. (Here is the form again)
How should the Invitation letter for Visa be delivered?
There is no stipulated way of delivery for your letter of invitation. You can mail it to your guest or scan it and send via email. Some countries however, require that the letter be notarized. In this case, you have to find a way to get the original copy to your guest. In USA, Canada and United Kingdom, a scanned copy of the invitation letter for visa can be sent.
What happens next? After you send the Invitation Letter?
You guest would add the letter to their Visa Application package. They would then submit the application package to the British Embassy in their country or to a visa application collection company (depending on the company). They would pay the visa application fees and wait for an interview with the visa officer at the British Embassy. The procedure for issuing a standard UK visa differs from country to country. What I have provided is just a general overview.
Here is a suggestion of how much the visa fees are as at 2019 according to UK government site.
A Standard Visitor Visa costs £95.
The fee for a long-term Standard Visitor visa depends on its length:
- 2 years – £361
- 5 years – £655
- 10 years – £822
Other Invitation Letters for UK Visa
Now check out our Ultimate Visa Interview or Application Kit.
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Dear administration,
Please i need a well compose invitation letter sample. Thanks.
Hi.Hope this finds you well.I am working but paid thru cash I earn 14,110 after tax.I have payslips but I stop using my bank statements for the past 5months tho am using Mpesa mostly in making transactions and withdrawal. I am invited to the UK to visit for 10days being that I have job here and am married for the past 5yrs and my son is now 4yrs old.I will stay and accommodated in the UK with my sponsor as I will stay in his home.he’s paying airfare for me to and fro,medical and everything without working or using recourse to public funds.Should I submit my bank statement? Even if it is in sufficient tho am paid every month and I have payslips and employment letter to state that.Pls assist me.Thanks in advance
Just show your pay slips and your bank account and hope for the best. Start using your bank account now in preparation for another trip.
Hi there I’m Elizabeth from Philippines. I have a friend in the UK which I meet online. We decided that I will visit him and his ill mother, he and his mother will send me an invitation letter, documents showing their residency and funds that they can support me and support letter that he will accommodate me in his house for free. I have a business and bank statements and my co sponsor whenever I need funds is my dad and my business in Philippines. Is there anything else I need for my visa to be granted though we havent meet in person?
Hi Elizabeth,
You have what you need.
Hello
My name is Rosy from Kenya my boyfriend in uk is sponsoring my visit ,ticket,accomodation and every.In short I won’t use my own money.Since I work as part-time job of cleaning when needed,so I don’t have any savings or bank accounts or pay slip am paid cash when done or through mpesa.
Am also the administrator of my father’s in hesitance,i get monthly allowance from his house that’s makes me not to work but it’s just 10000 per month.
How do I put all this together for me to be granted the visa,i need help I don’t know how to put everything so it can be approved.please could you write me to show me a clear letter on how I should write the strong ties at home.its so frustrating.
Hi Rosy,
It’s difficult to show ties when you don’t have a lot of money. Just do your best and hope for favor.
http://www.visainterview.info/
how to travel uk london dont have visa only invatation to visit there my bf for holidays only 5days and how to get the invatation.thanks.
is that allow if i go london uk.no visa only tourist for holidays 5 days.i need help thanks.
Hi elvie
Depending on the country you are leaving from, you would need a visa even for just a few days tourism.
hi sir I need my invitation visa letter thanks
My Boyfriend is living in Pakistan, But He is UK national… He has his own house in UK and source of income from UK. Can he make the Sponser letter from Pakistan or he would have to visit UK in order to make the Sponsership letter??
Hi Kaife,
Invitation letter can be made anywhere in the world but he has to show evidence of his earnings like payslips and bank statements.if he has a house then council tax letter and and electricity bill.and other documents.
like
passport copy
invitation letter
application form.
Sir,
Can someone invite maybe two people finished with the documente and later wants to add another one,is it possible that way and how sir?????
Sir you can please apply my uk visa
And i see christmas 20!7 uk
Sir,
Can someone invite maybe two people finished with the documente and later wants to add another one,is it possible that way???
Elvie,
Your bf need to write you an invitation letter. On this site we have several samples!
https://www.sampleinvitationletter.info/sample_invitation_sponsorship_letter_visitor_visa.php
If my dad wanted to invite my cousin but she will be staying at her auties house can HE send the invitation to her. He will be responsible for everything but she will just be staying at her aunties.
Hello
I’m Anna .I’m Polish and I live In Uk for 10 years .A few months ago was in Cuba and I met person whom I wish to invite to Uk .The question is ,if I can do it ,if I have right to do it ,an what kind letter I should write?
Hi Anna, yes you can invite him or her. You can use any of the samples on this site.
Hi Anna did you manage to invite your Cuban friend to Uk? I am actually in the same situation like you and have no idea what should I do to invite my Cuban friend to Uk …
regards Zuzie
Is there any kind person to invite me?
Sorry shazzad! This site is to help with writing invitation letters – not getting invitations!
Is there a diffrence between a sposorship declaration and invitatiin letter? Do we have to submit both? And if the visitor is soonsoring himself shall we mentiin that ! Thx
Yes Nana there is a difference! In a sponsorship declaration you state that you will be responsible for the financial implications of the trip and show the proof! An invitation letter or sponsorship letter is just once asking your guest to visit you! Unless you are asked to submit two different documents, you can combine the two letters! You can invite and state that you will be responsible for the entire trip and that your bank statements are attached! If your guest is sponsoring themselves you can simply state that they will be sponsoring themselves or state what part you will be responsible for, like accommodation!
Thank you for sharing this letter it has been a big help …am very grateful …
Bob
I am applying to visit UK as a tourist and I will also meet my sister there. I don’t require any support from them in terms of financing or accommodation. Which visa type I should select and do I still need any invitation letter or other document from my sister in UK? Kindly advise,
Thanks
You would need a tourist visa and a letter from your sister if you would be visiting her!
Hi hi
I am jimmy from india, my aunt a british citizen wants to invite me for a family gathering for 2 months to the uk, She will be paying for my visit and all other expenses, but she is unaware of how to write the letter and does she have to write a sponsorship letter or an invitation or both and what would be the format and what documents do i need to to submit here for visa, and one more thing does the letter have to be a wriiten one or an email would also work.
Please guide me as i need to inform her the same
I written letter is better! She can write an invitation letter that shows that she will be sponsoring you! She would have to include her financial documents to show that she can afford to sponsor you! You will need to show financial docs too
Hi admin,
I have bf in uk and he invite me to go there. The invitation letter was sent to india uk embassy and cc to. He told me this is the easy way. Is it possible I get my visa I am recently residing in Qatar. Please advice. Thank you so much.
Yes it works that way too! All you can do now is prepare for an interview should you have one
Thank you very much admin for your reply. It helps a lot i will just wait for his further instruction.
Sir my friend is in uk. If he take a sponserdhip latter for me . Than I go to uk or not sir plz help me
How long will embassy feed us back… my friend from the uk sent the invitation a week ago with no bank statement attached to the embassy. Should he resend ?
I am a female Filipino spouse of a British national. My husband is in the UK and is sick, while I am in the Philippines. He had been coming back and forth to the Philippines to visit me and we got married last June 19, 2015. However, after two months, the doctor saw some warning signs of cancer so my husband had to go back to the United Kingdom for medication. He has cancer of the skin (melanoma). I want to go and visit him in the UK. Can I possibly get a tourist visa for this purpose, for humanitarian reasons.
Hi Admin,
My gf lives in Ukraine and I have visited many time in her home country, we are now trying to arrange for to visit the UK and was wondering what course of action is best. Would you suggest a visitation visa and forwarding a visitation letter to the appropriate embassy in Kiev or a tourist visa instead. Thanks
Hi, i’m iraqi citizen , so i have best friend who wants to invite me to visit uk with him, what he has to do because he is here in Iraqi- Kurdistan now so please advice me what i have to do and what my sponsorship has to do to invite me ?
Thanks!
hii…m from india and want to visit my sister’s house who is settled in london after her marriage. Is it compulsory to get an invitation letter from their side or there is any other way, so that i don’t have to ask for any letter
Yes Prashant, if you are going to visit your sister, you must have a letter of invitation from her!
Hi,
Please I would like to know if its ok to send a letter of invitation by email rather than post?
It’s better to write the letter, sign it and then scan and email the scanned copy!
My boyfriend is preparing the invitation letter for me to visit UK. Will I be interviewed in UK or in my country?
In your country!
Thanks.
Is there any chance for me to have interview in UK country to get visa instead of my country?
Or is there any chance that my BF can get visa from UK for me by himself? I just need to provide required documents?
No! You have to get the visa by yourself
Thanks! It mean there is just one way that I have to apply application form to UK Embassy located at my country to get visa, right?
Hello, i am peruvian and my boyfriend is irish, but he is living and working in UK, I am planning on visiting him next year around february for two months. He says he can cover my expenses while I stay there and I can afford the plane tickets and also any other expenses I would have in my visit. What would be the best way for him to write an invitation letter and prove that we are on a true and genuine relationship? and how can i prove that I want to come back to my country after the 2 months? I work for an american company and is an online job so i work from home. I hope you can give me some advice. I would really appreciate it cause i am getting a bit nervous. Thank you.
I am going to visit the UK on a Tier 2 ICT visa for 4 months. I and my wife wish to travel together. She is a homemaker and I will bear all her expenses for travel, accommodation and living costs. While applying for her general visitor’s visa, what should she mention in the below questions?
1. What is the cost to you personally of your trip in GBP?
2. The total amount of money you have for this trip?
3. The cost of the aeroplane, boat or train tickets?
4. The cost of your accommodation?
5. The cost of your living expenses
6. What is the total amount in GBP
Hi Mr. Post Author,
I am a FILIPINO currently working in HK as Overseas Contract Worker, domestic helper. I just married a month ago, and my husband is in UK. I am planning to visit him this coming December 2015. While applying fot my Standard Visitor Visa, some of the questions mentioned on the application forms that we need to answer are:
1. What is the cost to you personally of your trip in GBP?
2. The total amount of money you have for this trip?
3. The cost of the earoplane, boat or train tickets?
4. The cost of your accommodation?
5. The cost of your living expenses
6. What is the total amount in GBP?
I am confusing how to answer it? And do I really need to answer those questions? even my husband is the one who is paying all my trip expenses?
What should I do? I really need your help and advice Mr Post Author. And thank you so much for helping us /sharing us, on how to write an invitation letter for a visitors visa. Keep up your good works, God Bless!
Yes you need to answer the questions! You may need to ask your husband to help with the answers since he is the one paying! Some of the answers will be zero!
Dear Sir,
Is there a girl who invite and sponsor me to UK as a friend.
Best
Abdullah Shahid
Kabul-Afghanistan
hi , i am a british citizen and i want to ask u that is it possible to go to immigration office to make a sponsorship letter for my friend. as when i was in Germany so its easy there u just need to go to immigration office they check ur documents and make letter for u. so is the same possible in England too ?
thanks
Hi, I’m inviting a friend and her little daughter to come to visit me here in London. I have already written the letter, but where do I have to send it? Could you please let me know the address?
Thank you very much!
Hi Pedro! You send it to your friend! He will add it to his application
Hi dear sir !
I’m original afghani and I have afghani bussniss passport with bussniss certificate and also bussniss export and import lecince one of my friend he’s British citizens but live in Ireland new tell me how to Wright I letter cod you send me by mail the sample of invitation letter please thanks you so much j_mamuzai@yahoo.com
Hi
I am from Poland. I came to UK to invite my boyfriend who is from Gambia but he lives in Spain. It may be holiday invitation. How to do it? Is it easy? Can I do it if I am just 2 weeks here?
Hello
My family are wanting to sponsor my husband over to england so we can come back home and I can start to work however if it’s for a 6 months visit visa are we allowed to put we would like him to stay for 6 months ???